Out of everyone you encounter in your daily life, you never know who may have an extraordinary story of resilience. It could be a woman you see at the pickleball court, on a cruise, or even while shopping at Anthony's. Breast cancer touches countless lives, but the unexpected strength of everyday people shouldn't be underestimated.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Anthony's is honoring it by giving back to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and sharing stories of hope and survival. We recently invited three breast cancer survivors (and longtime Anthony's customers) to our company headquarters for a photoshoot and interview session. Betsy, Patty, and Rose Marie's stories show that no one should face breast cancer alone, and that the support of family, friends, faith, and community, along with small acts of self-care, can make all the difference.
Our hope is that these women's stories, while very personal, can help anyone affected by breast cancer, whether it's their own diagnosis or a loved one's. You are not alone. For another story of resilience, read A Survivor's Tale: 15 Years of Triumph Over Breast Cancer.
Meet Three Breast Cancer Survivors Sharing Their Stories
Betsy
“I found humor every inch of the way.”
First diagnosed in 1987, with a recurrence in 2019, Betsy is a longtime breast cancer survivor who shows the healing power of a sense of humor, a close group of friends, and regular physical activity. Throughout her journey, she has been deeply invested in offering strength to others, including leading an American Cancer Society support group for newly diagnosed women and even appearing in a Lifetime TV segment about support groups. Not one to take a challenge sitting down, Betsy played pickleball and tennis between twice-daily radiation treatments and still exercises every single day.
Patty
“Great husband, great friends, great family.”
A breast cancer survivor for more than two decades, Patty was diagnosed at 40. She speaks fondly of the relaxing cruise she and her husband took between her diagnosis and surgery. Working full time during her treatment, she was also grateful for a flexible, understanding workplace. Patty attends a Komen walk every year, and though she calls herself shy, she went up on stage at her 20-year walk when her friends and family encouraged her to.
Rose Marie
“I'm not going to look the way I feel.”
Rose Marie is the most recently diagnosed of the three, less than two years ago. Her cancer was caught early on a routine mammogram, and today she's working toward her five-year milestone. A woman of faith, Rose Marie draws great strength from Bible verses and the camaraderie of her church prayer group. To represent her faith, she wears a bracelet with an anchor of hope.
Why a Strong Support Network Matters During Breast Cancer
Family Support Can Look Different for Everyone
For Patty, her husband was her primary source of strength, by her side from diagnosis through recovery. For Rose Marie, her three sons were a vital source of support. Whether your support comes from your family of origin, a family of choice like a close group of friends, or both, all three survivors we spoke with emphasized how much their relationships with loved ones carried them through the toughest times.
Finding Support at Work and in Your Community
During her recurrence, Betsy emailed women in her neighborhood to share her experience with breast cancer, so that anyone quietly struggling would know they had someone to talk to. It's a reminder that your community can be built in unexpected places. Patty found an invaluable resource in her boss, who was a breast cancer survivor herself and not only supported Patty during her treatment but also gave her helpful advice based on her own experience. Sometimes, all it takes is reaching out to people who are already in your life, like coworkers, neighbors, or acquaintances, to find help and support.
Faith as a Source of Strength
Faith can take many forms. Whether it's shaped by religion or an innate sense that everything will work out, faith goes hand in hand with hope. Rose Marie sought strength through prayer and found community in her church prayer group. Whatever your belief system, faith can help you make sense of life, especially during difficult periods.
Doctors Who Advocate for You
All three women spoke about how much it meant to have doctors they trusted, and each considered her medical providers an important part of her support team. Their doctors were respectful and knowledgeable, and some even helped their patients navigate the often-confusing world of health insurance. Having a doctor like this on your side can make a real difference when you're facing breast cancer.
Every Breast Cancer Journey Is Valid
A couple of the women confessed they felt they had “gotten off easy” compared to others, even though each faced real challenges of her own. It's natural to compare your experience to someone else's, but there will always be someone whose road looks harder. That doesn't make your own struggle any smaller, or any less deserving of support.
How to Find a Breast Cancer Support Group
Rose Marie didn't discover a support group until she was already in radiation, when she spotted a flyer by chance, and she wished she'd found one from the very beginning. Betsy, on the other hand, knows firsthand what they can offer: she led an American Cancer Society support group for newly diagnosed women. The comfort of listening, and being listened to, by people who understand what you're going through, cannot be overstated. To find a breast cancer support group in Florida, visit the Support Resources page on the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation website.
The Role of Personal Style in Healing
True to her motto, Rose Marie decided from the very beginning to dress with intention and never leave the house without lipstick on. It's as much a commitment to herself as a way of showing others that hope is possible. Betsy felt the same way. Even as she lost her hair during treatment, she kept putting mascara on her last few eyelashes, because she wanted people to look at her and think, “She's gonna survive.” For Patty, personal style took a different form: her colorful tattoos, all of which she got after her diagnosis, are symbols of her enduring hope, and she wears them proudly.
Whether through clothing, makeup, or body art, personal style gave these women a sense of normalcy and comfort during a turbulent time and helped them cope with both physical and emotional challenges.
Don't Skip Your Mammogram
Neither Patty nor Betsy had a family history of breast cancer, and both were in their early 40s when they were diagnosed. In Patty's case, the cancer was spotted on her very first mammogram. Rose Marie's story is a powerful reminder of why screening matters at any age: she almost skipped the mammogram that found her cancer because she thought she was too old to keep being screened. Her tumor was too deep to feel during self-exams, and she says that without that mammogram, who knows when she would have found it. All three women stress the importance of early detection and getting regular mammograms as directed by your doctor. You can learn more about screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society.
How Anthony's Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast cancer is a cause close to our hearts, and it has touched so many in the Anthony's family, including the women who so generously shared their stories here. We're grateful to Betsy, Patty, and Rose Marie for trusting us with them.
This October, we're supporting the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit that funds breast cancer research, education, and support programs across the state, including support groups for Floridians on their breast cancer journey. On October 1, 10% of all sales were donated to the foundation, and we hosted our annual Pink Party at all Anthony's stores with drinks, refreshments, and a day of shopping for a cause.
Every purchase and every visit makes a difference, and we couldn't do it without you. You can shop our Breast Cancer Awareness collection all month long, and if you'd like to give more, you can donate directly to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.
